Sainte Marie, IL Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Sainte Marie has lagged behind IL benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Sainte Marie Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Sainte Marie Water
- Homes built before 1986: 86% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.84 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Sainte Marie
Supply infrastructure in Sainte Marie, IL runs through a single dominant provider — the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sainte Marie, Illinois, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 266 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Sainte Marie — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sainte Marie: D (53/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Sainte Marie water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Sainte Marie
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62459 | D | WILLOW HILL | 309 |
All ZIP Codes in Sainte Marie
- 62459 [D]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Sainte Marie
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Housing & Infrastructure in Sainte Marie
With 86% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Sainte Marie — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1963 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Sainte Marie were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Sainte Marie Homeowners
For most homeowners in Sainte Marie, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Sainte Marie are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 44% below the Illinois average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Sainte Marie
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 86% of Sainte Marie stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Sainte Marie
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 86% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sainte Marie, IL